Rovos Rail The Ultimate Luxury Trek, Cape Town-Dar es Salaam

Breakfast is served in the dining cars.

Disembark at Matjiesfontein for an opportunity to stroll through the historic village. Of special interest is the museum on the platform and a collection of historic cars and railway carriages to the right of the Lord Milner Hotel.

The train traverses the Karoo, a vast semi-desert region that was once an enormous inland sea. Over millions of years,
volcanic matter was ground down and deposited as silt upon the seabed to form what geologists call the Karoo system.

Lunch is served in the dining cars, followed by tea in the lounge and observation cars. Afterwards, head to the open-air deck for some fresh air.

Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal

Breakfast and lunch are served on board as the train continues to travel through the Karoo.

Arrive in Kimberley this afternoon. Capital of the Northern Cape, Kimberley is well known for the discovery of diamonds that led to its establishment in 1871. Enjoy a tour of the Big Hole and Diamond Mine Museum.

Arrive Pretoria and Rovos Rail’s private Capital Park station this morning.  Enjoy a walking tour of the station and the locomotive workshops (weather permitting) followed by lunch on the platform and a city tour of Pretoria.

Dinner is served in the dining cars this evening.

After breakfast, we transfer to a lodge in Madikwe Game Reserve for a two-night stay.  Lunch is served on arrival, followed by an afternoon game drive.

Madikwe is a prime malaria-free Big Five wildlife reserve bordering Botswana. In addition to the Big Five, it is home to more than 300 resident and migrant bird species.

Dinner at the lodge.

Enjoy an early morning game drive, evening game drive and/or other activities. All meals and overnight at the lodge. Or, if you’d rather, opt out and make a spa appointment (at additional cost).

After another early-morning game drive and breakfast, we transfer back to the train at Gaborone in Botswana. Border formalities will take place en route.

Lunch is served in the dining cars as we cross the Tropic of Capricorn and the eastern edge of the Kalahari Basin. Afternoon tea and dinner on board.

Botswana/Zimbabwe border formalities take place this morning.

Enjoy a full day day at leisure on board the train to take in the passing scenery. Travel along one of Africa’s longest stretches of straight railway line – 70 miles (114 kilometers) – and along the eastern edge of the Hwange National Park. Lectures will be given by the on-board historian.

Don’t miss the lectures! Learn about Cecil Rhodes, about Victoria Falls, David Livingstone and more. When we were on board, the onboard lecturer was a huge hit.

Arrive Victoria Falls around noon. Walk from the train to the “Grand Imperial Lady,” the Victoria Falls Hotel, a short way down the path. The train staff transfers your small luggage. Established in 1904, and recently redecorated, this gracious colonial-style hotel is set in lush tropical gardens.

Lunch is served at “Jungle Junction,” named after an early train station there, but now a lovely open-air dining area with delicious, fresh food.

You’ve got plenty of time for a hike, a nap, or just gazing at the miracle before you, as your hotel is situated just a few minutes’ walk from the Falls.

Enjoy a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. Keep your eyes open for hippos. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (Optional steam dinner train excursion, see “More” section below.)

Day at leisure. Optional activities include tour of the Falls, round of golf, helicopter tour of the Falls, more. (These are optional and require US$ cash.)

Re-board the train and depart late afternoon, crossing the famous Victoria Falls Bridge. Complete border formalities for entry to Zambia, followed by dinner on board.

After breakfast, the train travels across the Kafue Railway Bridge – a 1565-foot (477-meter) long steel girder truss bridge of 13 spans each at 108 feet (33 meters) supported on concrete piers.

Pass through Lusaka, Zambia’s capital, as lunch is served. Lectures offered in the morning and afternoon. A special African-themed dinner on board this evening.

As you travel through Zambia, you will notice many small villages of circular thatched huts. When the children hear the train, they dash to wave, thrilled to greet the visitors. It is a delight to wave back at them. 

Day at leisure as the train travels the Tazara railway line, an engineering tour de force and one of Africa’s best-kept secrets as it passes through remote territory. All meals on board, with lectures offered.

We love these all-train days. Shall we attend a lecture? What about sipping a drink on the rear, outdoor deck? Or, shall we just hang out in our beautiful cabin with all the windows open?

Wherever you perch in this luxurious train, look for villages, animals, Baobab trees.

Disembark in Kasama for an excursion to Chisimba Falls. This is of course not as fantastic as Victoria Falls, but still magical. There’s a path for travelers of all walking abilities to admire this national park. The Rovos staff sets up a bar for refreshments.

Afternoon arrival at Zambian/Tanzanian border control. Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board. This evening, the train passes Baobab forests and descends the Rift Valley towards Mbeya.

Arrive Makambako and enjoy a stroll through the town (time permitting). Descend spectacular pass to Mlimba. Much of the day, descend over gorges and through tunnels. It’s a spectacular day of railroading through rugged terrain.

The train descends into the highlands and traverses the fertile lands of Tanzania towards the Selous Game Reserve. We’ll have an afternoon game drive in Selous Game Reserve, largest in Africa (time permitting). Dinner on board as we travel towards Gwata.

Travel east toward the coast to Dar es Salaam. Breakfast on board before morning arrival (scheduled for 10 a.m.).

Please note: Due to rough track and delays, the train can arrive late into Dar es Salaam. It is best to schedule an overnight in Dar es Salaam before flying out.